24 December, 2009

Here’s some good advice for researchers, from an article at the American Historical Association: “A Survival Guide to Archival Research.” It’s like the advice for air travel: Bring snacks; know the schedule & procedures; bring waterless hand-wipes & hand lotion, Band-Aids & minor medical supplies; bring paper & pencil. Unlike in air travel, the authors suggest leaving pens at home so as not to smear original documents and frown on chocolate in the snacks for the same reason. I think I’d add water to the survival supplies and white gloves to the document-protecting equipment.